Letter: Fallone is ready to be a justice

Fallone is ready to be a justice

EDITOR: Wisconsin needs Ed Fallone's intelligence, integrity and temperament on the Supreme Court. Fallone is an expert in criminal, constitutional and corporate law, which he teaches at Marquette University Law School. He has practical experience as a business lawyer and leader of charitable and community organizations.

Justice Pat Roggensack's supporters exaggerate the value of her time as a judge. I am a retired lawyer. I can assure you that the skills of a good law professor are very similar to those of a good Supreme Court justice. Fallone is very well qualified to be a justice. The Supreme Court takes only those few cases that have issues important to the whole Wisconsin legal system. As a result, the Supreme Court makes policy, by construing statutes, interpreting the constitution and by shaping the common law of the state. Its published decisions define the law and guide judges and lawyers in resolving similar cases.

Years on the bench are far less important to that policymaking than is the ability to thoughtfully and intelligently consider issues and effectively explain decisions, putting aside all political agendas and interpersonal conflicts. Any fair review of Roggensack's tenure shows she has difficulty doing that. Ed Fallone will be a much better Supreme Court justice.